"The first time Ben Tolliday heard The Golden Circles he knew he wanted in. Now, two years later later, he’s preparing to launch the seven-piece’s poppy debut album, Playground. “I remember seeing the last show their cellist, Greg, played,” Tolliday recalls. “That was at the Tongue & Groove and I was quite enchanted by Deb’s songs and the instrumentation. I just remember thinking right there and then that I wanted to be a part of it.” At the time, Tolliday’s band, Trinkets, were winding down and talking of “extended breaks”. Joining The Golden Circles seemed a natural marriage and a relationship Tolliday threw himself into wholeheartedly. In fact, Tolliday played an integral role in recording and mixing much of Playground.

“We decided we wanted to record the band live, so that was done over three days at Black Box Studios in July last year,” the multi-instrumentalist says. “We did marimbas, guitar, bass, drums and violin there. On opening track ‘Playground’, local act The Golden Circles Capture the fragile mood and emotions of MÚm, largely thanks to sparse guitar, cello and Deborah Cavallaro’s stunning voice. Indeed, from the start to finish of this demo, The Golden Circles captivate with playful melodies, unusual instruments and dreamy textures. It’s fair to say that there’s not much else around these parts that sounds anything like it. Even if there was, you get the feeling The Golden Circles would still manage to stand out. The live takes prove they can cut it on stage too. "

"The first time Ben Tolliday heard The Golden Circles he knew he wanted in. Now, two years later later, he’s preparing to launch the seven-piece’s poppy debut album, Playground. “I remember seeing the last show their cellist, Greg, played,” Tolliday recalls. “That was at the Tongue & Groove and I was quite enchanted by Deb’s songs and the instrumentation. I just remember thinking right there and then that I wanted to be a part of it.” At the time, Tolliday’s band, Trinkets, were winding down and talking of “extended breaks”. Joining The Golden Circles seemed a natural marriage and a relationship Tolliday threw himself into wholeheartedly. In fact, Tolliday played an integral role in recording and mixing much of Playground.

“We decided we wanted to record the band live, so that was done over three days at Black Box Studios in July last year,” the multi-instrumentalist says. “We did marimbas, guitar, bass, drums and violin there. On opening track ‘Playground’, local act The Golden Circles Capture the fragile mood and emotions of MÚm, largely thanks to sparse guitar, cello and Deborah Cavallaro’s stunning voice. Indeed, from the start to finish of this demo, The Golden Circles captivate with playful melodies, unusual instruments and dreamy textures. It’s fair to say that there’s not much else around these parts that sounds anything like it. Even if there was, you get the feeling The Golden Circles would still manage to stand out. The live takes prove they can cut it on stage too. "